Brick-machine.



S. B. DRUMMOND.

BRICK MACHINE. APPLICATION nun JULY 10, 1901.

924,972. y Patented June 15,1909.

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210i in we S. E. DRUMMQND.

BRICK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1901. 924,972.

Patented June 15, 1909.

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S. E. DRUMMOND. BRICK MACHINE. Arrmou'mn FILED JULY 10,1907.

Patented June 15,1909.

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SHERIDAN E. DRUMMOND, OF PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA.

BRICK-MAGHINE To 1 whom it may concern:

lle it known that I, Snnnmax E. DRUM- noxo. a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Par 'ersbnrg, in the county of Wood and cltate ofIVest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBrick- Iliachincs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accmm ranying drawings, and to the figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to brick machines and has for its object to providea machine for cutting bricks from a column of clay.

With this object in view my invention consists in the employment of anautomatic friction clutch requiring no setting other than motion of thecolumn of clay, and so arranged that the motion imparted by the columnof clay for operating the mechanism is automatically shifted to theapplied outside power.

My invention also consists in the construction of this friction clutchwhich is so arranged that it can be set in the ordinary way or thrownentirely out of use without in any way interfering with the othermotions of the machine.

My invention also consists in the construction for operating the cuttingreel which enables the cutting mechanism to accommodate itself to thespeed of the column of clay, thereby mal ii r it possible to employ thisdevice with ess jarring of machinery than if the reel ha d power appliedto it while the machine is not in motion.

My invention also consists in the arrangement with an off-hearing beltwhich relieves the column from shoving the cut brick over a long apron,thereby reducing the liability of the cut brick being jammed together ormis-shaped while being delivered on the belt.

My invention also consists in the construction of the mechanismproviding for ready access and removal of any or all of the parts.

My invention also consists in the arrangement of the parts of theoperating mechanism to one side of the cutting mechanism, therebyremoving the same from the liability of becoming clogged with dirt whichis thrown down by the wires passing through the column of clay.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 10, 1907.

Patented June 15, 1909. Serial No. 383,046.

My invention also consists in the construction of the positive clutchwhich is particularly simple, strong, durable and efficient.

My invention also consists in the construction and arrangement of theparts in such manner that there is little or no liability for themachine to become out of alinement.

My invention also consists in certain other novel details ofconstruction and in combinations of parts, all of which will be firstfully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view of themachine partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section. Fig.21s a top plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical transversesectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a verticalsectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the construction foradjusting the automatic friction clutch. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectionalview taken on line 55 of Fig. 1 illustrating the automatic frictionclutch. Fig. (i is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 66of Fig. 1 showing the positive clutch in operative position. Fig. 7 is avertical longitudinal sectional view through the clutch taken on line 77of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a view illustrating the positive clutch out ofengagement.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout theseveral figures in which: Y I

1 indicates the machine comprising the cutting reel 2, measuring tablebelt 3 and ottPbearing belt a. Arrangedbetween the measuring table belt3 and the cutting reel 2 are two rollers 5 arrangedin an oil pan 6 (Fig.2) and lazy tongs 7 The cutting reel 2 comprises at one end thereof alarge gear wheel 8 meshing with a smaller gear wheel 9 carried on theshaft 10, a casing 11 incasing these two wheels as shown in Figs. 1 andI 12 indicates the axle orjournal uponwhich the rings or flanges 16rotate, said journal 12 being supported at each end thereof in a pair ofrollers 13 as shown inFig. 2 in order to allow the said axle or journal12 a free reciprocating movement. Secured to the shaft or journal 12, asshown in Figs. 1 and 3, are a series of depending fingers l l havingformed at the lower end thereof a horizontal shelf to receive the columnof clay. Journaled on the axle 12 between each of the depending fingers1 1 is a ring or flange 16 to which is secured the inner ends of thecutting wires 17 as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

18 indicates the cross pieces which extend across the reel against whichthe outer ends of the cutting wires 17 engage. A hook 19 for each wirehaving a coil spring 20 thereon is preferably employed as shown in Fig.3 for taking the shock from the cutting wires while they are acting uponthe column of clay. Located at the bottom of the reel is a guide rod 21supported at each end thereof by a pair of rollers 22 in order to allowthe said rod afree reciprocating movement.

23 (Fi g. 1) indicates the driving shaft having on one end thereof agear wheel 2 1 and at the other end thereof a bevel pinion 25.

26 indicates the clutch shaft which as shown in Fig. 1 is provided atits outer end with a bevel pinion 27 in mesh with a tooth pinion 28,said pinion 28 being carried on the shaft of the measuring table beltdrum. Loosely carried on the shaft 26 is a drum 30 to which is secured agear wheel 31 in mesh with the gear wheel 24: on the drive shaft 23,said drum. 30 being free to rotate on the ball bearings 32.

33 indicates a spool loosely carried on the shaft 26 to which spool isalso connected the square open end case 34:. Carried on the shaft 26within the drum 30 is a clutch shown in detail in Fig. 5, a sleeve 36 ofsaid clutch being securely keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 26.Carried also on the shaft 26 is a drum 37 having web or spokes 38 (Fig.4) and keyed to said shaft within the drum 37 is a sleeve 39 having anarm 4:0 carrying a threaded bolt or pin 11, which bolt or pin 11 is inengagement with one of the spokes or web 38 of the drum 3? as shown inFig. 4:, two nuts 42 ands3 on said threaded bolt or pin providing forthe adjustment of said bolt or pin on the spoke or web 38. Carried onthe inner end of the drum 30 is a disk 4E4: formed with ratchet teeth4C5 (Figs. 6 and 8), while a pawl or bolt- '-16 is carried in the spool.33, said pawl or bolt being provided with an extending pin a? forengagement with a cam &8, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 6 and 8. On theouter end of the spool 33 is a projection 19 for engagement with a lugor projection on the clutch 35. Carried on the drum 3? is a ring 51, towhich ring 51 are pivoted the clutch dogs 52, said dogs being alsoconnected to the keyed collar 36 of the clutch 35; a right and. leftthreaded bolt 53 being provided for each of the clutch dogs 52 for thepurpose of adjusting the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Within theopen end case 34 the shaft 10 of the gear wheel 9 extends and on the endof said shaft is provided two rollers 5 1 arranged to reciprocate withinsaid case. Carried on the outside of the drum 37 is a section of a.right and left spiral 55 and 56; in engagement with these sections is aroller 57 carried on the rod 58 which is connected to the reel 2.

Referring to the off-bearing belt 4: it will be seen from Fig. 1 thatsaid belt passes around a drum 59, shown in dotted lines, the shaft 60of said drum carrying a bevel pinion 61 in mesh with the bevel pinion 25on the drive shaft 23, said belt passing from this drum 59 passes over asmall roller 62 and over a small roller 63 at the forward end of thebelt, passing rearwardly over a large drum having a shaft 641 arrangedin the slide tongs 65 which is adjustable by means of a pin or bolt 66.A link 67 connects the two rollers 62 and 63 holding them always at auniform distance apart, while a slot 68 in the casing 69 provides for afree reciprocating movement of the roller 62; the forward roller 63 isconnected to the reel 2 by means of a lug or projection 70 as clearlyshown.

Referring again to the positive clutch 71 illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and8 it will be seen that the pawl 4-6 is actuated by a spring? 2 to holdsame in engagement with the ratchet teeth 45; however this pawl 16 canbe actuated by gravity if desired.

Having thus fully described the several parts of my invention itsoperation is as follows: The column of clay to be operated on to be cutinto bricks passes onto the measuring table belt 3 causing the belt drumto rotate the bevel pinion 28 on the shaft 29 thereon, communicatingthis motion to the shaft 26. The sleeve 36 of the clutch 35 rotates withthe shaft and the projecting pin or lug 50 on said sleeve engages withthe pin or lug 49 on the spool 33, said pins or lugs being in engagementthe spool 33 is rotated with the shaft, and as the pawl as (Fig. 6) ofthe positive clutch is carried on said spool and as said pawl 4.6 is inengagement with one of the ratchet teeth 45 of the drum 30, said drumrotates with the shaft 26 and as thesquare open end case 341. isconnected to the spool 33 said case rotates with said spool which alsorotates the shaft- 10 of the small gear wheel 9 (Fig. 3) therebyimparting motion to the reel 2. As the positive clutch 71 is rotated toa certain point the projecting pin 17 (Fig. 6) strikes the cam 48 (Fig.8) drawing the pawl 46 out of engagement with its ratchet teeth 45 asshown in Fig. 8, thereby throwing the clutch out of gear and stoppingthe reel. It will be seen from the description of this operation thatthe action of the clutches is governed by the motion of the column ofclay on the measuring table belt 3. As soon, however, as the clutch 35(Fig. 5) is in engagement as just describedv the drum 30 is locked toand rotates with the shaft 26, the

shaft therefore taking power from the drive shaft 23 through the mediumof the gear wheel 24 thereon and the gear wheel 31 on the outside of thedrum as shown in Fig. 1. is soon as the projecting pin 47 of thepositive clutch 71 (Fig. 8) passes off of the cam 48 the pawl 46 againengages one of the ratchet teeth 45. lVhile the pawl 46 is out ofengagement with one of the ratchet teeth 45, as above described, thedrum 30 is being rotated by the drive shaft 23 at a much higher rate ofspeed than the column of clay would produce if said drum were beingrotated by the shaft 26. The positive clutch 71 being thrown in gearafter the pin 47 passes the cam 48 the spool 33 is locked with the drum30, thereby causing the open end case 34 to rotate the shaft 10 and tobe driven by the power shaft 23 to rotate the reel 2 causing the cuttingwires 17 to pass through the column of clay cutting the same intobricks, it of course being understood that the column of clay passesfrom the measuring table belt 3 over the rollers 5 and also tongs 7 ontothe shelves 15 within the cutting reel, said reel and cutting wiresrotating through the bar until the pin or extension 47 of the positiveclutch 71 (Fig. 3) strikes the cam 48 withdrawing the pawl 46 andstopping further rotation of the reel. As the speed of the drum 3Odriven by the power shaft 23 was greater during this operation than thespeed of the shaft 26 which is rotated by the column of clay the pins orextensions 49 ano 50 on the automatic clutch (Fig. are moved out ofengagement, and as the positive clutch 71 (Fig. 8) has been thrown outof gear by means of the cam 48 the cutting reel is brought to a stop.The column of clay, however, continues to move over the measuring tablebelt 3 continuing to rotate the shaft 26, which shaft rotates freelywithin the parts until the pins or projections 49 and 50 are againbrought into engagement again starting the cutting reel 2 and carryingthe spool 33 of the positive clutch 71 around to the point where thepawl 46 again engages one of the ratchet teeth 45 at which point thepower of the driving shaft 23 is again connected to the drum 30, squareopen end case 34 and shaft 10, so that the rotation of the cutting reelis assured positively by the power shaft 23 relieving the clay drivenshaft of this Work.

Having thus fully described the construction for driving the cuttingreel and the manner in which the clutch throws on and oif the power ofthe driving shaft 23, I will now describe the means for causing the reelto travel along with the column of clay while the cutting wires arebeing passed through, and the arrangement for returning the reel to thestarting point after the wires have passed through the clay. Referringto the drum 37 (Fig. 2) it will be seen that the section of a right andleft spiral and 56 are arranged on the exterior of said drum; thesespiral sections engaging with the roller 57, said roller is forced inone direction by the right spiral and in the opposite direction by theleft spiral, and by means of the rod 58 which is connected to the reelthe said reel is reciprocated traveling on the rollers 13 and 22, thedrum 37 being in engagement with the keyed sleeve 39 on the shaft 26rotates with said shaft, which shaft is driven by the column of clay forthe reason that the speed. of the reel must be uniform with that of thecolumn of clay so that the cutting wires in passing through the claymust not move longitudinally in relation to the column of clay,otherwise the clay would be injured and the cuts would not be clean andstraight. For this reason the positive power delivered by the driveshaft 23 cannot be employed for moving the cutting reel on account ofthe fact that the speed of the column of clay cannot be determined as itvaries constantly. In order, however, that the power required of thecolumn of clay may be as light as possible to do this work, and in orderthat no undue backward pressure is produced on the column of clay whichwould resultin swelling and doubling of the column making an unevenbrick and jamming together the bricks that have been cut, I haveprovided the automatic clutch 35 (Fig.

The operation of this clutch in connection with the foregoing operationof the parts is as follows: The sleeve 36 of the clutch 35 which iskeyed. on the shaft 26 and one end of each of the clutch dogs 52 areconnected together as clearly shown in Fig. 5; while the clutch dogs 52are also pivoted to the ring 51 carried on the spiral secfion drum 37.As the spiral section drum 37 is not rigidly connected to the shaft 26it can be readily seen that in case of any resistance to this drumturning when its spiral sections are delivering power to move the reelthe shaft 26 carrying the clutch 35 would continue to rotate the spiralsection drum 37 on account of the fact that the clutch dogs 52 aresecured to the spiral section drum 37. This slight rotation of the shaft26 within the spiral section drum 37 causes the clutch sleeve 36 (Fig.5) to rotate with relation to the ring 51 on the spiral section drum 37,which ro tation drives the clutch dogs 52 outwardly to engage the powerdriven drum 30, thus transferring the power for moving the reel from thespiral section drum 37 to the power driven drum 30 and throwing the workon the power shaft 23, thereby relieving the column of clay from thework of moving the reel. Thus it will be seen that while the entiremechanism is controlled by the motion of the column of clay the onlywork it has to do is to set the automatic clutch 35, and as the powerrequired for this operation can be greatly compounded the back pressureon the column of clay is inconsiderable. Should the resistance in movingthe reel be great the clutch sets hard and if the resistance be lightthe clutch sets proportionally, in fact the clutch is entirely strictlyautomatic and operates according to the resistance. However by theadjusting device shown in Fig. 4 the collar 39 being keyed to the shaft26 and the threaded bolt being connected to the web or spoke 38 of thedrum 37 by adjusting the nuts 4:9 and 4L3 in or out on the boltll theautomatic clutch 35 can be adjusted to set as hard as desired; or byreversing the direction in which the nuts are moved the clutch can beheld out of use all together, in which event the work of moving the reelwould be thrown entirely upon the column of clay.

As the driving mechanism just described does not travel, and as the reeland the shelves 1.5 or carriage must travel while being rotated, Iprovide the rollers 5% within the square open end case 3%, as the squareopen end case 34; is rotated to turn the shaft 10, said shaft 10 andwheels 54: are free to move backwardly and forwardly within the case 34:with little or no friction.

As the off-bearing belt t is connected to the reel by the parts beforedescribed, said belt follows the movement of the carriage, thusrelieving the column from all back pressure as the belt always keeps thesame position relative to the reel, traveling back and forth with it andthus obviating the use of the long apron over which the cut brick wouldhave to be shoved, which operation obviously produces back pressure onthe column.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a brickmachine, the combination of a traveling carriage, a series of cuttersthereon, an apron for carrying a column to be cut to said cutters, andan off-bearing belt for receiving the cut brick from said carriage, aseries of rollers over which said ofbearing belt passes, one of saidrollers being ein'inected to said carriage, a link connecting saidroller to a similar roller in such manner that two rollers follow themovement of said :arriage, thereby lengthening and shortening thereceiving surface of said off-bearing belt, substantially as described.

In a brick machine, the combination of a traveling carriage, a series ofcutters thereon, an apron for receiving a column to be cut, drum forsaid apron, a spiral section drum rotated by a shaft, a connectionbetween said spiral ction drum and said traveling); carriage, a drumloosely carried on said shaft, a power shaft for rotating said drum, aspool carried on said shaft, a clutch on said spiral section drum forengagement with said last mentioned drum, a rotatable casing rotatedwith said spiral. section drum, a shaft within said casing and rotatedtherewith for rotating the cutters, and means for disengaging saidclutch from its drum to stop the rotating of said cutters, substantiallyas described.

3. In a brick machine, the combination of a traveling carriage, cuttersthereon, an apron to receive a column to be cut, said apron beingarranged to be moved by said column, a shaft rotated by said apron andcolumn 1' i r moving said carriage at the same rate of speed with saidcolumn, a power shaft and easing rotated thereby, a shaft within saidcasing and rotated therewith for rotating said cutters, rollers carriedon said last mentioned slraft to allow said shaft to reciprocate withinsaid casing while being rotated, srbstantially as described.

t. In a brick machine, the combination of a traveling carriage, cutterscarried thereon, an apron for receiving a column to be out, said apronbeing arranged to be moved by said column, a shaft rotated by said apronand column, a spiral section drum on said shaft for reciprocating saidcarriage, a power shaft, a clutch operated by the movement of s: 'dapron for transferring the power for reciprocating said carriage fromsaid apron to said power shaft, a shaft for rotating said cutters, aclutch operated by said first mentiened shaft for communicating thepower )in said power shaft to said shaft for rotating the cutters,substantially as described. in testimony whereof, I my signature, inpresence of two witnesses.

SllEllllL-XN E. DRUMMOND. ll itnes es:

Era hr CALvix, JAY Tnorms.

